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Wed 17 Jul 2013 | 08:08
Rene Ranger shows the finger after high tackle by Bundee Aki

17
Comments

The Blues bid farewell to three key players at the weekend but it wasn't the fairytale they'd planned as they lost 26-16 to the Chiefs. In the first half Rene Ranger was on the receiving end of a high shot that wasn't carded, and showed his disgust at the decision.

The game was meant to be a great send off for Ranger, Ali Williams and Anthony Boric, but the red card changed things and instead the Blues had to dig deep just to stay in the contest.

Earlier in the week you saw the Kane Barrett incidents, but just three minutes after the red card tempers frayed again as tryscorer on the night Bundee Aki high tackled danger Ranger.

There wasn't too much in it although it looked bad on first viewing, and Ranger clearly wasn't happy, hoping for more than just a penalty. While it's not totally clear, it looked as though he then gave the assistant ref or one of the players (maybe Aki, but he walked the other way), the finger.

Rather than state that as fact, we've instead got the video for you so you can judge for yourself. If it is the case, it's surprising that there hasn't been further action taken, as it's surely not something that can not be tolerated on the field, especially when it's seen on camera.

Either way, dynamic back Ranger has now finished with the Blues in Super Rugby and while it was a frustrating night for him, he'll look forward to a good season in the ITM Cup, and then a move to France where he will join Montpellier next season.

Fans in Europe are in for a treat as Ranger is arguably at the height of his game and posseses all the flair, power and x-factor to make a real impact in the Top 14.

Until then, there's no doubt we'll see more great bits of play from him in the NPC, and hopefully add more to the archive of Ranger classics, some of which can be seen in the related posts below.

Was that the middle finger, and if so, should a rap over the knuckles be in order, or even a ban?

Posted By: Grant Constable

17 Comments

  • browner
    10:58 PM 21/07/2013

    It's rather confusing, the players have separated & the direction that he is looking at the time of the finger isn't toward his opponents ...... so who is it at , AR on near side?, his own bench?, own players? fans? oppo bench? this clip is inconclusive - maybe someone could ask him for us !

  • facepalm
    2:25 AM 20/07/2013

    Please tell me people aren't seriously complaining about a middle finger?! Obviously Ranger has flicked the guy off, so what?

  • drg
    1:00 PM 18/07/2013

    Sort of a nothing incident... High tackle was not "that bad".... Probably copped a whack on the ear which hurt...

    No need for a card, it was penalty worthy, that's it....

    Far touch judge would have no impact on anything what so ever... Near touch judge or referee were the only officials who could really judge on the incident, and at that point neither had said anything one way or the other, so he's hardly likely to swear at any "official" before a decision has been made...

    Swearing at Aki is the more likely outcome, or at another Chiefs player, not a big fan of it, but it's not the worst thing I've seen, simply showed his dislike for that tackle. It wasn't drawn out...

    It's not a great example but is probably safer than having Ranger walk over there and start belting Aki!

  • totesmcgoates
    10:47 PM 17/07/2013

    I can't think of a reason why he would flip off the linesman on the far side of the field, it had to be aimed at a Chief. He also does it before any decision is made by the ref so I don't think he's looking for a card necessarily...

    Yeah, it's a bit disappointing from Ranger but I'm not going to lose sleep over it.

  • reality
    7:56 PM 17/07/2013

    Most definitely giving the finger to someone. As Kiwi In Germany said above, I'm a bit disappointed. I'm a big fan of his, but this just makes him look like an immature teenager, not a fully-grown man who should be a rolemodel.

  • otumoetaipat
    6:42 PM 17/07/2013

    don't cry

  • otumoetaipat
    6:41 PM 17/07/2013

    you can't be serious!!! he gave a guy who tried to rip his head off the finger. it's not a big deal. i thought he took it rather well. stop holding rugby players to a higher standard, it's getting a bit boring......

  • benny
    6:08 PM 17/07/2013

    Surely it wasn't aimed at the touchie on the far side. It happens before we even know it's just a penalty and no card so why would he flip him the bird?

    Ok, lack of class or sportsmanship but maybe there's more to it than we know. Could be that there was already some niggle leading up to it. As long as it wasn't at the official then I don't think it's worth worrying about and certainly less of a concern than head high tackling.

  • 5:27 PM 17/07/2013

    Regardless of who the finger was aimed at. (I'm not saying there isn't a difference.) This is disappointing by Ranger. I really like this guy he's one hell of a sportsman. But the best way IMO to deal with a situation like that is to pick yourself up and play harder. Put that aggression to some positive use.

  • paimoe
    4:43 PM 17/07/2013

    And US athletes make a fraction of people in finance. Doesn't mean they don't make a fortune.

    Ranger probably earned well north of 100k, considering he's also in the All Blacks. The median NZ income is $67k NZD.

  • drg
    4:39 PM 17/07/2013

    @Cymbrogi

    Juspar wasn't talking about words at the referee, he was talking about words being picked up, a la Jerry Flannery's "that's the fooking second time you fat c**t" which was picked up on mic etc. If words and gestures are directed at referees then they need a response, but at other players, less so, maybe a warning...

  • finedisregard
    4:16 PM 17/07/2013

    I have a much bigger problem with the finger than I do with the high tackle.

  • danknapp
    3:51 PM 17/07/2013

    "Rugby...a barbarians game played by gentlemen."

    And Dylan Hartley.

  • cymbrogi
    3:27 PM 17/07/2013

    "But so what? The mics pick up all kinds of words on the field too, just part of the aggressive nature of the game."

    no..that's where you're wrong mate. These guys get paid a f****g fortune to keep a cool head. I love this sport for it's aggressive nature, but I also love this sport because the players don't get aggressive and verbal and petulant with match officials like soccer players and just take a disagreed decision on the chin and play the game to gain the advantage back. I don't want techy petulism getting into rugby union like you see all the time in soccer. Rugby...a barbarians game played by gentlemen.

  • cymbrogi
    3:16 PM 17/07/2013

    nah..no injury, just expressing his thoughts to the line judge to me. All the same, he should keep it in his pocket. Don't want my kids following his example by doing it at school matches cos 'I've seen the pro's do it' ! Take up soccer if you want to be a techy player in your sport.

  • juspar
    3:13 PM 17/07/2013

    Clearly a finger. But so what? The mics pick up all kinds of words on the field too, just part of the aggressive nature of the game. If it's aimed at an official that's different, just like 'words' would be. But nothing in the footage indicates it is.

  • ruggernut
    1:52 PM 17/07/2013

    That ain't an injured finger. Seems he would have been a bit more careful and a bit less pointed with his gesture had it been a genuine finger injury.

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